Finally getting to it!!! 1970 Duster 340

-
Removed the yoke and worked on it this afternoon. Fortunately. I was able to tap the broken bolt out with a center punch and a hammer. I got lucky. installed the new straps and bolts......the driveline is finished. Front rims and tires are installed. I will tighten the remaining front suspension components to specs later. For the frist time in a long time the Duster is down on all fours.

IMG_2171.JPG


IMG_2172.JPG
 
that is one clean garage......finally someone more anal about cleanliness than me. The floor is nicer than in most homes and seems to hold up well. Not even a tire mark. What is it?

ohhh,....... and the Duster is looking good.
 
The flooring is an Armstrong commercial tile that I got at a very good price. I rented a concrete grinder to remove all the chipping paint and prep for adhesive. It was my first attempt at laying a tile floor. I really like it. It will gouge if your not careful but it dramatically changed the look of the garage.
 
Really looking good, is that driveshaft by Rob Brombacker @ RTB Restorations ?
 
No. I did the driveshaft myself. Soaked it in Evaporust and then polished it. Had the shaft rebalanced then I used a propane torch to give color around the end welds. I also taped the length of the shaft and applied cold bluing solution to duplicate the longitudinal weld.
 
FJRdoc said:
Removed the yoke and worked on it this afternoon. Fortunately. I was able to tap the broken bolt out with a center punch and a hammer. I got lucky. installed the new straps and bolts......the driveline is finished. Front rims and tires are installed. I will tighten the remaining front suspension components to specs later. For the frist time in a long time the Duster is down on all fours.

View attachment 1715281219

View attachment 1715281220
Click to expand...


Nice car!!!!I have 72 340 V2 orange I have 15" rallies for rear, what size tires are you running on front and rear?
 
FJRdoc said:
No. I did the driveshaft myself. Soaked it in Evaporust and then polished it. Had the shaft rebalanced then I used a propane torch to give color around the end welds. I also taped the length of the shaft and applied cold bluing solution to duplicate the longitudinal weld.
Click to expand...
Very well done... I soaked mine in Evaporust but then just cleared it in a Matte finish, yours look much better.
 
I went with BF Goodrich tires because Polyglass bias are crazy expensive. Front are 215/70-14 and backs are 255/60-15. They fill the fenders well without any modification.
 
Did a few minor things this afternoon. Topped off my carb with Leanna's powder coating magic. The air cleaner just finishes the engine compartment. Slapped on the engine emission decal. I just need to run the fuel line to the carb and run the heater hoses. Things are coming along nicely.

IMG_2182.JPG


IMG_2183.JPG
 
I like a clean garage! I had the day off and spent most of my time working on the Duster. I set the front suspension ride height and then torqued all the rubber mounted suspension components. Installed the heater hoses and finished wiring the alternator. I used a discount code from Year One last week to order a new M&H idle solenoid harness....my original was in pretty bad shape. Installed the fuel hose from the fuel pump to the metal fuel line. I'm going to run a Pertronix electronic ignition and coil. I gutted my ballast resistor and rewired it with a 14 gauge wire.
I'm waiting for Bilstein shocks to arrive from Firm Feel. After they go on, the suspension work is complete except for an alignment. Master cylinder brake lines need to be attached and the brakes will need to be bled.
 
Did a couple minor things yesterday. Installed the kickdown linkage and the automatic transmission gear selector bar. Got the throttle cable clipped to the firewall and attached to the pedal. This week I will start to work on the headliner install.
 
IMG_2210[1].JPG
I have the day off and I plan to spend most of it working on the Duster. My Bilstein's arrived this week....they're going on. Received my restored hood latch from Stephan Fournier at SF Restorations in Canada. I have to tell you that he did a fabulous job. It's a shame that most of it will be covered up by the grill.
I've been trying to decide on where to get my exhaust system. I would like the system to look as stock as possible without laying out mega bucks for NOS pieces. I spoke with Accurate yesterday and I was surprised to find that they don't have mufflers for A bodies that have a crushed rear edge. They told me that was only a B body thing but that is not true. NOS Mopar A body mufflers have the same crushed corner. It's a shame that ECS doesn't make A body exhaust components.
 
Last edited:
FJRdoc said:
View attachment 1715286215 I have the day off and I plan to spend most of it working on the Duster. My Bilstein's arrived this week....they're going on. Received my restored hood latch from Stephan Fournier at SF Restorations in Canada. I have to tell you that he did a fabulous job. It's a shame that most of it will be covered up by the grill.
I've been trying to decide on where to get my exhaust system. I would like the system to look as stock as possible without laying out mega bucks for NOS pieces. I spoke with Accurate yesterday and I was surprised to find that they don't have mufflers for A bodies that have a crushed rear edge. They told me that was only a B body thing but that is not true. NOS Mopar A body mufflers have the same crushed corner. It's a shame that ECS doesn't make A body exhaust components.
Click to expand...

Example of NOS Mopar over the counter NOS A Body mufflers. These two are dated 1271 or 12th week of 71. Same part number 71-73. Note the indentations outboard for emergency brake cable brackets.

IMG_0574_zpsmzuwjz9r.jpg


IMG_0573_zpsrvs0f2k9.jpg
 
The problem with all theses companies, they really don't know much about A bodies and do not make the correct parts for them.
Dons exhaust makes nice factory exhaust pipes.
 
This is my favorite. This is not even close, plus it will not fit.

fullsizeoutput_2161.jpeg
 
Got to wrench on the car all day today! Rear speakers are installed and fully wired for sound. Headlight buckets, lights and headlight rings are in. The hood latch is on and adjusted. Front suspension is lubed and my front Bilsteins are on. Rear shocks will go on this weekend along with the grill. Headliner is next.
My old grease gun was giving me fits. It seems as though I needed a third hand to get the job done. One to pump the handle, one to hold the gun and one to hold the nozzle on the zerk. I splurged earlier in the week and bought a Lincoln 1162 air grease gun off Amazon for $69. I love this thing. I think I'm going to open up a neighborhood lube shop just to keep using it. I was sad once all the fitting were filled.

IMG_2216[1].JPG


IMG_2211[1].JPG


IMG_2212[1].JPG


IMG_2215[1].JPG


IMG_2214[1].JPG


IMG_2219[1].JPG
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
-

Back
Top